Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 21

Red, Pink, Green & White

#23 - Country Farm

This block should be renamed "Goldilocks" and it nearly did me in.  Here's the first version.

Too wishy-washy.  I didn't like how the yellow points just melted into the background and really all you see is a bright red hourglass.  But it wasn't a total waste of time, I guess.  It helped me decide on red star points for sure.

Here's the second version.

Too bright.  This time I was smart enough to not assemble the entire thing.  Good thing, too.  I just wasn't feelin' the love for the pink/yellow hourglass. 

Third version.

Aah.  Juuuuuuuust right. :)

#28 - Four Winds

I was a little nervous about this one - with 64 pieces (the largest being 3/4" finished) I didn't want to have to remake it because just because I didn't like the colors.  But I knew right away that the pinwheel in the middle needed to be red and the background would be white.  So I just gambled on the pink & green and ... voila!

I'm really happy with this one too. 

Ok, I've had quite a few requests lately to see a "group shot" of my blocks so here you go. :)

What does it all measure up to? 

According to my ruler, 2 and 3/4" of pure Farmer's Wifey, Flower Sugary goodness! ;)

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 20

(Pink), Green, Blue & White

#20 - Churn Dash

I really needed to use this blue again. 

This is just a nice, quiet, happy little block.  I need to remember to make more quiet ones to balance out all the ...

#26 - Cut Glass Dish

... SUPER LOUD ONES like this!

Actually this version was a reject.  I didn't like how the large blue squares looked so blotchy with the large flowers.  Plus one of my seams was all wonky :( .

So I switched the fabric and straightened the seam.

MUCH better!

I love how all the tiny triangles in this block are so reminiscent of the name, "Cut Glass Dish".  I was a little disappointed with this one at first.  I thought it would have looked sharper with a solid white instead of the white/blue print for the triangles.  But then I got to thinkin' ... you know how when you look at cut glass and you can sorta see through it, but not really?  I think this lacy blue/white print makes the "cuts" look semi-transparent. 

I like thinking of things that way - assigning meaning in relatable ways.  Like with the Chrysler Building last week.  Don't know why.  Just the way I roll, I guess. :)

Puzzles - Quilting Style

As a mom, I think doing puzzles is very good exercise for growing brains.  When I was a kid, I loved doing puzzles.  It was one of a VERY few things I was better at than my big sister.  Which is probably why I liked doing them ...  ;)

So naturally, I encourage my girls to do things that are good for them but that I also like to do. 

Now, I'm trying not to force quilting on them.  I don't want them to hate it because I made them do it.  But if I can figure out how to trick them into doing something educational while wrapping it up in a pretty package full of fun, I will.

That's right, I'm sneaky.  I'll admit it. 

Here's my latest triumph.

Math puzzles.

Cleverly disguised as last week's FW blocks.

Can't believe I didn't think of this earlier!

Oh, and did I mention they both had so much fun they're BEGGING me to cut more blocks?!  Mwah ah ah ah ... some things about parenting you just can't put a price tag on!

The only downside to this whole exercise?  Watching them man-handle the triangles.

Bias cut edges should be respected.

And feared.

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week #19

Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue & White

#7 Birds in the Air

I think I want to marry this block.  Seriously.  If I didn't hate triangles so much I'd make a giant king-sized quilt with this exact block repeated over & over & over ...

 

# 18 Century of Progress

Ok.  The fabric placement in the book for this block TOTALLY drove me banana-nuts-crazy. 

I mean, I get random, deliberate mistakes and even symbolism (I think I read on the Flickr Group that this block has something to do with a Ferris Wheel), but I usually crave symmetry.  And this block just looked like ... like ... well, like someone should stop messing around and fix it already!  So that's what I did for mine. 

And I'm not the only one with this problem 'cause I've seen LOTS of FWQALers alter this block too.  I consider myself to be in good company here. :)

So with all due respect to the very lovely person who designed this block, here's my "century" that progressed to "symmetry".

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 18

Yellow & Blue

Yep.  More yellow. :)

#15 Buzzard's Roost

I think of one thing and one thing only when I hear the word "Buzzards" ... dating my husband. 

No, it's not like THAT.  He wasn't some half-dead carcass I was circling.  We started dating in high school ... well, HE was still in high school ... I was in University.  That's right, I got me a younger man. ;)  But I've always looked really young for my age and people used to think he was dating "jail-bait".  Tee hee!

In fact, when we went out for our 15th wedding anniversary earlier this year, I ordered a beer and was asked to produce my ID!  It's been years since I stopped taking my wallet when I go out with him.  (He never lets me drive when he's in the vehicle ... can't really blame him, can you?)  But the waitress actually sent the manager over to make sure I was "legal".  For the love of all things holy, there's just NO WAY I look under 21 - hair color can only work so much magic.  It was kinda nice, though. :)

Anyhow, the point - that has taken me 2 paragraphs to get to - is that one of our favorite places to go when we were dating was a pub called "Buzzards".  Good times. :)

#12 Broken Sugar Bowl

I gotta use more of this blue!  It's tricky because this print is a rather large scale floral and I have to be careful cutting little pieces. 

Super happy, isn't it?!  I think I'm getting over my yellow thing. ;)

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 17

Red, White & Pink

#54 - Kitchen Woodbox

I'm trying very hard to resist the urge to put a fussy cut flower in the middle of every "square-in-the-middle" block.  But right now I'm kinda thinking this one might need a little "su'mm su'mm". 

(That was my totally lame attempt at saying "something something" gangsta style.  When am I going to learn that I should just stick to my middle-aged haus frau vocabulary?  Hmmmm ... NEVER!  Being silly is too much fun. 

My husband says I'm the funniest person I know.  Well, I wouldn't go THAT far.  There are plenty of people who are WAY funnier than me.  But I do make myself laugh. :)

#17 - Cats & Mice

Kinda white.  But I like it.

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 16

Pink & Yellow

Still catching up with yellow this week. 

How do YOU make your FQWAL blocks?  Me?  Well, I usually decide on colors first. 

When I was going through all the color combinations I've used so far, I realized I hadn't done pink & yellow together yet.  So I went searching for a good block.  And when I turned to this page and THE WORLD CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT.

See, I bought this magazine a little while ago.

And this lovely block by the Happy Zombie just so happens to be in it. 

In fact, it was reading about it on her blog that made me go buy the issue!

Now, you all know how much I love pink, right?  And in case you didn't know, the very first quilt I ever made was a Grandmother's Flower Garden hexagon quilt.  So when Monica - the ordained minister of all things quilty- married two of my all-time favorite elements together in a block (pink PLUS hexies) ... well ... to continue with the analogy, honeymoon!

Or should I say ...

#49 - HoneyCOMB

I messed around a bit with the layout.  I wanted it to look more Happy Zombie-ish.  :)

 

# 14 - Butterfly at the Crossroads

I.LOVE.THIS.BLOCK.  It makes me feel very happy.  I even like the little accidental paisley bubble in the top right corner.  ( I SWEAR I didn't fussy cut it!)

(And yes, that's a nasty little scorch mark on the bottom left butterfly ... I have a love/hate relationship with my iron.  Every once in a while it likes to remind me who's boss.  Clearly, not me.)

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 15

Green, Yellow & White

I was going through my blocks and realized I'm a little shy on yellow, prob'ly because I've never been a huge fan of that color.  Not sure why.  Maybe it's because I don't look good in yellow.  I don't think I have a speck of it in my wardrobe and I don't have anything decor-wise that's yellow, except for a few quilts that happen to have a little bit in them. 

Plus it reminds me of things like jaundice.

When I'm sewing, I tend to use yellow for literal applications.  Like when I make a quilt with a house in the design, I want it to look like someone's home, so I'll use yellow to make it look like the lights are on ...  

Hmmm, maybe I SHOULD wear more yellow!  tee hee

#41 - Friendship Star

Ok, WHOA!  The yellow seems a bit TOO yellow here.  (Although my amateur photoshopping may have something to do with the exaggerated flouresence here.)

I'm hoping it'll look ok when mixed in with all the other blocks.

#50 - Honey's Choice

This turned out to be such a sweet little block!  I love the little pinwheels.

I'm just wondering if maybe I shoulda used a color for the middle square - like red or pink ...

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 14

Pink & Green

I remember when I was growing up my aunt told me a "rule" about fashion in the '70s - "pink with green should never be seen" - meaning these two colors didn't go together.

Whoever made that up was a very, VERY bad person.  I think this color combination is not only perfect, it's essential to life as we know it. 

#61 - Northern Lights

#58 Mother's Dream

Turns out third time really IS the charm for this block. 

Attempt #1 was 1/4" too small. 

I'm making my blocks 5" instead of 6-1/2" ... ;) 

Attempt #2 was 1/8" too small. 

I do like things perfect and all, but I don't normally go to this much trouble to MAKE things perfect.  The older I get, the easier it is to say "oh well".

#3 - juuuuuuuuuuust right. ;) 

Apparently late night sewing isn't always the smartest use of one's time ...

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 13

Pink, Green & Yellow

#48 - Homeward Bound

I know, I know, the gingham is touching itself again.  It bugs me a little bit here, but not as much as this block.  I'll keep this around as a reminder to not do it again ;).

#4 - Basket Weave

I was very deliberate about my fabric placement for this block.  Depending on how many fabrics are used and where they are positioned, sometimes I can see a ... well ... a notorious WWII symbol.  Once I see it, I can't NOT see it.  So I didn't follow the layout as in the book.

I think this layout has a more pinwheel-y, windmill-y look.  Pinwheels & windmills are friendly, right?  I mean, how can you not like them?  (Don Quixote doesn't count.  He's banana-nuts-crazy.  Oh, and plus he isn't real.) 

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 12

Green.

#30 - End of Day

This block feels a little heavy to me.  I think I might change out one of the corner triangles to white.   I'll see what it looks like with more blocks ...

#81 - Snowball

Kermit the Frog said it wasn't easy being green.

Yeah, he's right.  But it's totally easy being pink!  ;)

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 11

Blue & Green.

#2 - Autumn Tints

Despite the lack of pink in this block, I really like it.

#7 - Birds in the Air

And I am just so absolutely crazy in love with the teeny tiny little dots in the fabric below ... I don't know why ... I never use dots ... doesn't make any sense to me ... really ... !  ;)

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 10

Classic Blue & White.

#3 - Basket

I love love love how this block turned out, even though the handle ended up a little crooked ... grrr ... (but I'm not redoing it!).

Now, you can either laugh at me for feel sorry for me.  I laugh at myself all the time.  But this is how I think ...

The gingham square in the middle of the basket is SUPPOSED to be white.  But I couldn't do that because to me it makes the basket look like it has a great big hole ... and then whatever you put IN the basket will just FALL OUT and get lost or broken. 

That totally stresses me out. 

Is that weird?  Does your brain work like that too? Or should I be seeking professional help?

#83 - Spider Web

I wanna meet the spider who lives here.  I bet she's really nice.  And pretty.  And I bet she'd invite me over for tea.  And she'd set out her best china cups.  And have pretty embroidered napkins and cupcakes with frosting.  And cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off.  And little sterling silver engraved family heirloom teaspoons that she freshly polished just for my visit. 

Wait, no.

I think the spider who lives here makes sure the silver is ALWAYS polished, just in case. 

She's very tidy and organized. 

Like Martha Stewart.

What? 

Too far gone for therapy?

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along - Week 9

Pink & Blue.  Makes me think of babies ... baby showers, baby powder, teensie weensie finger & toes ...  (Oh how I miss that new baby smell - the fuzzy top-of-the-head end, not the other end!)

#71 Puss in the Corner

Oops, I already made this one a few weeks ago.  Oh well, I'll keep both for now and see which one makes the cut.  I like options. ;)

#92 - Streak of Lightning

Another reject this week.  I don't like how the gingham looks all wonky & blurry & crooked when it touches itself.  Makes my eyes water.   And plus it gives me vertigo.  (kidding)

Much better. :)

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 8

Red & Yellow.

#5 - Bat Wing

Hmmm.  I think this block might be a bit too red for me.  I'm trying to use red only as an accent here and there.  In my mind's eye, I see this quilt finished with white sashing and red posts.  But I'll wait until I have several more blocks to see if this one will work.

#55 - Linoleum

I have ALWAYS loved saying that word.  Linoleum. 

Li-no-le-um. 

LinOOOOOleummmmmm.

I dare you to stay in a bad mood after saying it 5 times in a row ... but you have to say it in your worst foreign accent like Eliza Dooilittle or Jimmi Hendrix or Crocodile Dundee ... Bela Lugosi works particularly well.  And you have to do it in front of someone else. 

No, seriously!

They'll either think you've gone banana-nuts-crazy and start backing away slowly while looking for the nearest exit OR pee their pants laughing at you. 

Either way, their reaction will prob'ly make you laugh. 

Sigh.  I shoulda been a therapist ...  ;)

Update on July 18, 2011 by Kristyne

Lisa, thank you for reminding me of this!  It must have been hiding in my subconcious somewhere. :)

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 7

Pink, Blue & Green

No special celebrations this week.  Just summer garden colors!

#71 - Puss in the Corner

I fussy cut the flowers in the middle, remembering that the finished block will be set on point.

#8 - Bouquet

Ok, I had a little trouble with this one.  The first time I made it my leaf and flower pieces were flipped around. 

It doesn't LOOK wrong, unless you compare it with the second one I made ...

I know, I know ... I COULD have just kept it ... and I WOULD have, but the seam allowance was all messed up. 

This is better. :)

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 6

Today is Independence Day - America's birthday.  Considering the USA is my neighbor, I made red, white & blue blocks for this week.  To commemorate Old Glory, one block is a star (brought to you by Queen of the Obvious) and the other is ... sorta stripey?  I tried.  ;)

#9 - Box

This block makes me think of fireworks.  Funny, in Canada, only "professional" pyrotechnicians are allowed to handle fireworks.

#31 - Evening Star

When it comes to pieced star blocks, I think this one is my all-time favorite.  Not sure why.  It just is.

To all my American friends, Happy Independence Day!

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Week 5

I waited to post this week's FWQAL blocks because today is Canada Day!  In honor of my country's birthday, I made red & white blocks. 

#56 - Maple Leaf

An obvious choice, eh?  ;)

#6 - Big Dipper

And the Big Dipper is arguably the easiest constellation to find here in the northern hemisphere ... that and Orion's Belt.

I've found it countless times overhead.  In fact, whenever I'm outside at night (and I'm not running to avoid frost bite in the dead of winter), I always take a second to find it ... just to make sure it's still there.  

I've never seen the Southern Cross, but I'd love to ... some day!

Happy Canada Day!

Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Weeks 1-4

This fabulous Farmer's Wife Quilt Along (FWQAL) started earlier this month and ... well ... I just couldn't help myself.  I've never done a quilt along before and after reading about it here and here (and then again here - Monica, someone owes you a toaster-oven!), I was totally hooked.  It seems like so much fun I just have to play along.

I'm making my blocks 4-1/2" instead of 6" (finished).  My best friend tells me I'm very annoying when I do stuff like that.  She thinks I have a problem with authority.  What can I say, I like little!   ;) 

I actually started making 3" blocks - and they were just so "oh-my-stars" fabulously teeny weeny - but because the fabrics I'm using have more larger scale prints, I was running into trouble with "blotchiness" - especially with the really small pieces ...

So I'm settling for 4-1/2". ;)

Now I'm a few weeks behind on FWQAL postings so I'll catch up today and then post the group's planned 2 blocks/week. 

I'm using my beloved Lecien "Flower Sugar" fabric (again) and I've decided to make my blocks in color pairs so every week will have a different color theme.  Here's what I've done so far.

Week 1 - All the colors - blue, green, yellow, pink, red (my plan is to use red as just an accent here and there) and white.

#73 - Rainbow Flowers

I'm not sure why the pattern had these 3 corner squares made in the same fabric as the adjoining rectangles.  So, I didn't follow the color placement from the book (I do that a lot).  I like how this block turned out.

#43 - Garden Path

I followed the book's fabric placement this time and I just love it. 

Week 2 - Pink, Green & Red

#1 - Attic Windows

#16 - Calico Puzzle

I'm really liking the gingham here and the pinwheel effect.

Week 3 - Pink ;)

#19 - Checkerboard

I love checkerboards.  I really do.

#111 - Churn Dash

Week 4 - Blue, Yellow & Red

#21 - Contrary Wife

I used to have blue & yellow Laura Ashley wallpaper in my kitchen until we renovated a few years ago.  These blocks make me miss my old kitchen ...

#10 - Bow Tie

Yeah, I kinda went way off track with placement here.  No bowtie to be seen.  But I love this block!